1 Introduction

1.3 Need for the Scheme

In July 1998 the National Roads Authority (NRA) published its National Road Needs Study. This study set out to determine an appropriate and affordable future national road network in order to cater for the projected traffic flows for the period from the year 2000 to 2019.

The study recommended that improvements should be made to both the N9 and N10 between Waterford and Kilcullen, basically to provide a standard two lane single carriageway. Bypasses were required for Mullinavat, Knocktopher/Ballyhale, Thomastown, Paulstown, Carlow, Castledermot and Moone/Timolin.

The National Road Needs Study represented only one input into the current National Development Plan, 2000 to 2006 (NDP). The NDP also gives due consideration to broader policy issues including regional and industrial development. It was in this context that Government policy for the improvement of national roads as set out in the NDP adopted standards equivalent to an average inter-urban speed of 94kph on dual carriageway and 105kph on motorways. In addition the NDP has the objective of providing a uniform carriageway type either to motorway or high quality dual carriageway, or a combination of both on the five identified major Inter Urban routes. Furthermore, the NDP requires that route selection be undertaken "for substantial sections of the routes rather than focusing solely on the delivery of bypasses of congested centres of population". The combination of these objectives resulted in the removal of the single carriageway links specified for sections of the inter-urban routes in the Road Needs Study and their replacement with dual carriageway type links. This provides a greater degree of safety than the single carriageway links and satisfies the higher standards as specified in the NDP. In addition it facilitates shorter (and safer) journey times and greater driver comfort.

The National Development Plan required further evaluation of the road type and route between Dublin and Waterford. This assessment was completed by the NRA and published in February 2000. This assessment looked at three corridor options for the route, broadly along the existing N9, an East Coast Route (via Arklow, Enniscorthy and New Ross) and the 'Durrow Route' (departing the N8 at Durrow, continuing southwards to Waterford via Kilkenny). It was concluded that the central N9 corridor was preferred and that the scheme should be a dual carriageway / motorway road in its entirety in accordance with the NDP requirements.